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"No Filter Required"

8/31/2018

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Good morning ladies. Last day of August! This summer has gone by much too fast, but with the extreme heat we had, I'm so ready for cooler temps. It obviously won't be today though. The last few days have been absolutely beautiful, but today is already starting out humid and sticky. I felt it coming, along with the thunderstorms last night. How about you? Are you ready for Fall, cooler temperatures, pumpkin lattes,  and raking leaves?  Well, maybe some of those things anyway! I'm hoping that the leaves are part of the Association's responsibility. I think they are since they take care of the lawn. So, any fun plans for this holiday weekend? We are going to the State Fair on Sunday afternoon/evening. That's when Casey and Maria want to go, and I think they want us to go with them. We did last year. They will also be with some of their friends for part of the day. I can't wait! I always enjoy the fair. I've already done a little bit of research on some of the things we want to do. We've never been to the Pet Pavilion  so we're going to do that. It's hard to believe that there's something we haven't seen after so many years of going. We also have to get to the Birthing Center, of course. This year I want to see the baby chicks.  They look so cute! And, we kind of have an idea about the things we want to eat. New foods.  We'll see how we feel after that! We have been on very low carbs in our diet for over a year now. It will be a challenge. Looking forward to a nice, relaxing Labor Day. PK's birthday actually falls on Labor Day this year, so we will have a party to celebrate him! 

Devotion

Great devotion today. Are we putting up a guard around our hearts? Have a great weekend and holiday ladies! I will be back with you on Tuesday. And enjoy your Fun Friday! 

“No Filter Required”

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)


Hipster. Antique. Vibrant. Faded.

 
Not the latest style or a band name. Those are photo filters in one of my apps. And I rarely post a picture without one.
 
Editing shadows, softening blemishes or unsightly details has become the new “reality” in an Instagram- and Facebook-riddled culture. I don't particularly enjoy showing my flaws to the world. Who does?! No real harm, right?
 
With something as trivial as social media, sure. But I wonder if the edits to appear “picture-perfect” might be causing me to miss the bigger picture.
 
It's not easy to admit, but it’s nonetheless true: I usually put better filters on my selfies than I do on my heart.
 
Fixing the not-so-lovely details is easy to do with an app, but it’s a little harder in this broken world. Deep down, I know I should be more focused on what I'm taking in — who I'm becoming. When I quiet the noise of social media and get alone with the Lord, I’m reminded that my heart, not my appearance or what I project to the world, is what matters most. Sometimes my actions just don’t line up with my intentions though. Have you been there, too?
 
The wise author of Proverbs understood the importance of guarding the heart — the soul — the most precious part of who God created us to be. He reveals such a powerful truth when he implores, "Above all else, guard your heart …” (Proverbs 4:23a).
 
The eternal piece of us … what Christ came to redeem and inhabit.
 
Why? Because "everything you do flows from it" (Proverbs 4:23b).
 
Everything?
 
Everything.
 
Actions. Thoughts. Feelings. Emotions. Passions. Drive. Hopes.
 
Every. Single. Little. Thing.
 
In biblical wisdom, the heart is viewed as the core of human existence — the center of our spirituality and true essence of who we are. The heart is also compared to a well from which all we think, feel and do flows. This makes it abundantly clear: What we allow into our hearts matters. A lot.
 
If we aren’t careful to guard what goes into that sacred space, we’re in danger of being polluted by muck that has the potential to steer our hearts away from the very One who fashioned us. All that is true, honest, lovely, pure, holy, godly: Those are the things we should allow to shape the most intimate part of our being. Everything else should be edited, cropped or filtered out.
 
But how do we safeguard our hearts? Philippians 4:6-7 gives us three powerful tools in the Apostle Paul’s instructions: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (ESV).
 
Prayer, supplication (requests) and thanksgiving is the 1-2-3 punch God has given us to effectively protect our hearts. When we talk to God, wisdom for decisions is available in abundance. By letting prayer, petitions and thanksgiving lead, our hearts are then rooted in a place of peace, safety and connection with Truth.
 
Filters for selfies may be just fine. But what we need to focus on is who and what we allow into our hearts.
 
Each of us was created to be captivated by God alone. The portrait of a heart and life being developed through the lens of God’s Truth is one that reveals what this world desperately needs to see. And guess what?
 
No (selfie) filter required.
 
Dear God, I admit I sometimes care more about what I project to the world than about what goes into my heart. My heart was made for You. Forgive me for opening it to things or people You don't want in my life. I ask You to give me wisdom about how to protect this beautiful heart You've entrusted me with while revealing Your great love to all I meet. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
 
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Jenny Wheeler
 
TRUTH FOR TODAY
 

2 Corinthians 7:1,
“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (NIV)


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"Love Never Fails"

8/29/2018

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Praise In the Presence of God

"Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our LORD. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'"
Nehemiah 8:10 ESV

Good morning ladies! How are you this morning? We woke up to a very cool morning and I love it! I slept much better last night. And the sun is shining.  Yay! What are you up to today? Maria is coming tomorrow to visit for a few days so I'm getting ready for that and also a few other things.

Devotion

More and more, I realize how much brokenness the writers of Proverbs 31 Ministries have gone through. Their stories bring us hope of freedom and redemption, and show us just how powerful and amazing is the love of God! Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

“Love Never Fails”

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17b-18 (NIV)


My parents divorced when I was 13. Within months, my life changed. Our family was torn in two, like a piece of paper, never to be reconnected seamlessly. We would not live under the same roof again.

 
The wounds of that divorce drove me to make a promise at that age. I vowed I would never get divorced. Vows are powerful things. There is an implied judgment in soul-deep promises. Divorce to me had become the Great Failure. The one defeat I would not suffer.
 
Imagine my dismay when after several years of marriage my husband wanted a divorce. We were in our 20s, and I had thought we would have a lifetime together. Turns out, I was wrong.
 
Nothing I did or said changed my husband’s heart. He simply did not want to be married. I could not keep that ancient vow. The weight of the defeat I felt almost broke me.
 
The Bible tells us, “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8a, NIV). But experience seems to teach us the opposite — that our love does fail. In spectacular, heart-wrenching ways.
 
As a Christian I have come to realize that God, unsurprised by our failure, has made provision for our imperfect love.
 
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul prays something striking. He prays that the followers of Christ may have “power … to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18b).
 
He prays for believers to have supernatural power — the Spirit’s power — in order to grasp the love of Christ.
 
In other words, we need supernatural help from the Holy Spirit to grasp love. The kind of love God wants us to taste requires a move of God.
 
The flesh that’s never tasted such a love in this world is incapable of grasping it. We cannot live like beloved daughters when we don’t know what the Father’s love, offered to us through Christ, really feels like.
 
That’s the point of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians.
 
We who have never experienced unbroken human love need spiritual power in order to experience God’s love. Knowing how beloved we are as daughters — as the Bride — requires a miracle; it requires a move of God. His power must pour from His realm into our own, from His Spirit into ours, before we begin to understand we are loved unfailingly.
 
After my divorce, I discovered an amazing quality about the love of Jesus: It heals.
 
My parents’ divorce had scarred me; my own divorce had ravaged me. I felt not merely rejected, but inherently deserving of rejection. Somehow faulty at my very core. When I learned to allow Jesus to minister His beautiful, unfailing love to my heart, these lies began to shrivel. The Lord restored to me the esteem of a treasured daughter.
 
Years later, in His grace, God brought a loving man into my life. When I was dating the man who is now my husband, one of the first things I learned was he was an early-morning person. By 9 p.m. his eyelids grew heavy.
 
While we were dating, I noticed a sweet tendency in him. He hated to say goodbye. Even though it was long past his bedtime, he would linger for one more word. One more minute with me. We didn’t spend the extra time on any life-shattering discussions or important chores. We merely enjoyed one another’s presence.
 
He was willing to pay the price of sleeplessness, exhaustion and mounting tasks left undone, just so he could be with me a little while longer. Now that I know him better, I realize how much those late nights cost him, and I’m amazed by the sacrifice. It remains one of the sweetest memories of our courtship.
 
I’ve come to realize that we need to linger with Jesus in the same way. To pay the price of staying with Him just a bit longer. Linger to enjoy one more moment with Him. To remain connected to the Spirit, so that we can grasp how wide and long and high and deep Jesus’ love really goes.
 
Whether you’ve had a glimpse of Christ’s love through your human relationships, or your personal history has been a fractured and dark antithesis of such a love, the Holy Spirit can help you grasp God’s holy affection. In all your broken places, you can be healed as you linger with Jesus.
 
Dear Jesus, heal me with Your love, I pray. Heal every rejection, fill every vacuum, flood the shattered places of my heart with Your love. Teach me to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of my Savior for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Tessa Afshar
 
TRUTH FOR TODAY
 

1 Corinthians 13:6-8a,
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (NIV)


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"Can I Really Trust God?"

8/28/2018

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"Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You."
Psalm 25:5
(from my Bible reading this morning)

Hi ladies! How are you this morning? I'm doing well. I had a good doctor's appointment yesterday. I decided to change my general practitioner to a female doctor that was there for me when I was in the hospital with my hip 'ordeal.' She was very proactive, and was the one who found the blood clots. I wanted to change for several reasons, the main being that I wanted a female as I'm going through the "change of life." Another reason is that I felt my previous doctor wasn't giving me any help with how to handle any symptoms I was facing, other than prescribing yet another medication. I would ask him about diet, exercise, and vitamins, for example, and he would just shrug it off. I would always leave very frustrated. At my appointment yesterday, my new doctor said she didn't want to prescribe hormone replacement for me because it can cause blood clots. Already, I felt that she knew me well. She suggested several other options that I can try to relieve my symptoms. I felt that it gave me a little feeling of control that I could implement these ideas myself. I went out very encouraged that I'm on a better path. Thank You LORD! What do you want to thank God for today? We can all be encouraged by your words of thankfulness and praise.

Devotion

Do you struggle with trusting God? In the good times, we could easily answer, "No" to this question, but what about in the difficult times? Today's devotion encourages us to truly believe that God is good, He is loving and kind, and His words are true and can be trusted. Have a Top-Notch Tuesday ladies!

“Can I Really Trust God?”

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 (NIV)


I stood in the front yard waiting for the yelling to stop before I went back inside. Dad had been drinking again, and Mom was screaming at the top of her lungs.

 
Why couldn’t he see how afraid I was? Why did he drink? Why did Mom yell? Why did they fight? After 17 years of these volcanic outbursts, you’d think I’d be used to it. But they always took me by surprise.
 
The day after one of their fights came with many tears and promises. “I’ll never do it again,” Dad said. “I am so sorry.”
 
But there was always a next time. I learned I couldn’t trust him.
 
Unfortunately, when I became a Christian, I had a difficult time trusting my heavenly Father as well.
 
Once we grasp the truth of God’s amazing love for us, we come to the next question: Can I trust Him? Can I trust God with my hopes and fears, days and years? When we understand the depth of His love, the answer is always “yes.” Perfect love drives away all fear, kicks it out the door, and gives it the boot (found in today’s key verse, 1 John 4:18). I love how the Amplified, Classic translation expounds on 1 John 4:18:
 
“There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection]” (AMPC).
 
When I became a Christian, I could relate to the rejected Jesus and easily accept the indescribable gift He gave. I marveled at God’s love. But trusting my heavenly Father with my hopes and dreams?That was a different story. For the longest time, when conflicts arose, I became that teenage girl looking in the crowd for a daddy who wasn’t there. Could I trust this heavenly Father? I wasn’t so sure.
 
But one day, God spoke to my heart in a poignant way. Take your earthly father’s face off of Mine, He seemed to say. I am not like your earthly father. I am your heavenly Father. You can trust Me.
 
Here’s what I learned about God:
 
He is always good.
He always tells the truth.
He wants what’s best for me.
I can trust Him.
 
It’s easy to trust God when life is good. But when a child rebels, the bank account dwindles, or the biopsy says the tumor is malignant, we wonder: Is God really good?
 
We know in our heads He is good, but the heart struggles to believe. The enemy of this world peddles the lie that God is not good — that He’s holding out on us. That’s the same lie he told Eve in the garden of Eden: God is holding out on you. You can’t trust Him. You will not die if you ignore His direction.
 
Then disappointment hits, and the devil says, “Told you so.”
 
Life is filled with disappointments. And during those times of disappointment, the enemy sows seeds of distrust with thoughts of mistrust. Disappointment and discouragement become the breeding ground for Satan’s lies to take root.
 
During the years I struggled with infertility, the enemy continually taunted me with lies. God doesn’t love you, he whispered. If He loved you He would give you a child. You can’t trust Him with your heart. You can’t trust Him with your deepest longings.
 
When we lost our second child from a miscarriage, the enemy pestered me again: How could God let this happen? How could He break your heart like this? How could a loving God allow such pain?
 
Have you ever felt that way? I think most of us have heard those lies at one time or another. But the truth is, if God says no in one area of our lives, it’s because He has a greater yes in another.
 
Can you imagine how the disciples felt as the stone rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb? How could this happen? Where is God? But three days later when Jesus rose from the grave, they knew the answer: God had a greater plan.
 
No matter what you’re going through today, know this: God has a great plan for you, and you can trust Him.
 
Lord, I may not understand Your ways, but I trust that You are good, and what You do is good. Help me trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Sharon Jaynes
 
TRUTH FOR TODAY
 

Psalm 18:30,
“As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” (NIV)

 
Psalm 119:68, “You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.” (NIV)

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"When I Quit Believing in Eventually"

8/22/2018

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Good morning ladies! How are you? We are going to have a noisy day here. There are several different things going on in our neighborhood. First, all of the driveways are getting new blacktop. This meant having all of our cars on the street last night or we would've been trapped. Cars everywhere! Also, the first thing to come by was the cleaner. I'm glad they know what they're doing with that. We have a crabapple tree and there's little crabapples everywhere.  I'm sure there will be a lot more activity as the day goes on. It's also garbage collection day, as well as grass mowing day. Molly is beside herself.  She wants outside because she is so nosy, but that isn't going to happen, at least until I take her out myself...on a very short leash!

Tonight is our Backpack Giveaway at church. I'm excited for this! 

Devotion

Today's devotion is about accepting ourselves for the beautiful creation that we are, no matter our size or how we look. Have a Wonderful Wednesday ladies!

“When I Quit Believing in Eventually”

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning — the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31 (NIV)


I was 11 years old when I first flipped through the glossy pages of
Seventeen Magazine with a friend.

 
It was in those pages I internalized the message that acceptance and belonging would come when I was “just the right size.” Have you believed that lie? The dieting and beauty industries spend billions of dollars hoping that you do. The problem is that compulsive dieting creates an eventually mindset.
 
Eventually, when the scale reads a certain number, you will belong, you tell yourself. Eventually, when your jeans reach a certain size, you will feel loved.
 
Thankfully, God reconciled all eventuallys on the cross.
 
“It is finished,” Jesus said, and in that moment, it was. What makes us irresistibly lovely is that we are loved by a God who never makes mistakes.
 
Genesis 1:31, today’s key verse, explains this for us: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning — the sixth day.”
 
God made the entire world and called it “good,” but it was when He made man and woman in His image that He pronounced His creation as “very good.” In fact, the Hebrew wording for “very good” in Genesis is the same phrase used for beautiful. Yes, this is what resonates. We are beautiful, we are worthy, we are loved.
 
A few months ago, I found myself in an impromptu photo shoot on the beaches of Haiti. I looked at the picture my friend took of me splashing near the shore in my swimsuit and for the first time, instead of focusing on all the things I wished I could change about my body, I made a choice: Speak aloud all of the things I’m thankful for about my body.
 
My curvy hips carried two babies. My strong arms carried my son whom I adopted when he was 3 years old. My ample thighs help me indoor cycle like it’s my job. When I consciously choose self-compassion, joy and freedom, I am no longer hindered by the limiting (and false) belief that size matters more than anything.
 
With these affirmations in my head, I gathered my courage and posted that swimsuit picture on Instagram, along with a caption about how scary it had felt to hit “post.” And I was in awe at the response. Women from all over gave me a virtual high five and began sharing the ways the insecurities and fears have been barriers to them stepping out in courage.
 
If it feels like you’re swimming upstream as you fight to believe you’re worthy just as you are, it’s because you are swimming upstream. It’s hard, and there are so many forces at work to keep you from gaining ground. But do you know what I have found to be true? When we all gather to swim upstream together, we change the current.
 
While I can still slip into daydreaming about my “eventual” aspirational body that looks like the pages of Seventeen Magazine, I now recognize that daydream for what it is: a lie that keeps me from finding my real belonging in Christ. This lie keeps me from receiving my own completion on the cross.
 
When I acknowledge that negative mindset and turn toward self-compassion and thankfulness, I can pull on my swimsuit and choose fun. Freedom is ours — both in and out of swimsuit season. Accepting ourselves as image bearers of a beautiful God is where we finally find belonging.
 
Dear God, thank You for forming me in the garden and completing me on the cross. Today, I choose to believe I am beautiful simply because I was created in Your very image. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Jessica Honegger
 
TRUTH FOR TODAY
 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10,
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (ESV)

 
Psalm 139:13-15, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.” (ESV)

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"What If Tomorrow Never Comes?"

8/21/2018

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Good morning!  How are you doing so far? It's a cool morning here, so I am enjoying the breeze and listening to the birds.  On this Tuesday, I'm just plugging along with some household chores and more crocheting. I have a busy September coming up. How about you? What are you up to today?

Devotion

Very thought-provoking devotion today. And it reminds us to live each day to the fullest. Abundantly. Have a Terrific Tuesday ladies!

“What If Tomorrow Never Comes?”

“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog — it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:14 (NLT)

Before we even departed, we heard a disturbing warning: “It’s been a rough day in the air, folks. Prepare yourself for tremendous turbulence.”

 
As the words tremendous turbulence seeped into my mind, I wondered if it was too late to make a run for the door. I tightened my seat belt, took a deep breath and said a prayer for safety.
 
All was well the first 30 minutes, but then the captain’s warning became a reality. It was the worst turbulence I’d ever experienced. We rocked back and forth, up and down. Heads were bobbing, necks were jerking, and I could hear luggage sliding around in the overhead bins. When the attendant began distributing sickness bags, I wondered if I would soon need one.
 
To make matters worse, we couldn’t land because of the high winds and heavy rain. After flying in circles around the airport for over an hour, the plane was running out of fuel. The pilot couldn’t wait any longer for the storm to end, so air traffic control rerouted our plane to another state, and we were finally able to land.
 
It was a scary experience, and although I didn’t really believe we would crash, I couldn’t help but think … what if?
 
What if the worst happened?
 
Was I ready to die? Had I lived life to the fullest? Did I have any regrets? Should I have done things differently? Should I have laughed more, loved stronger, hugged harder, and lived more abundantly? Should I have done more for others? Had I stepped out in faith to do all God had called me to … or let my list of excuses stand in the way? Had I allowed my problems and busyness to steal my peace and joy? Had I been taking life for granted?
 
Had I lived as if I truly loved and appreciated life?
 
As I stared out my little oval window at the rain pelting the side of the plane, I pondered the life I had been given and how I had been living it. In that moment, I promised God and myself that if I ever got off that plane, I would intentionally and purposefully love my life every single day and make every effort to live it to the fullest.
 
In the book of James, the author encourages believers to live this way and live out each day based on godly wisdom, not worldly wisdom. In James 4:14 he said, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog — it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”
 
In this chapter, James was reprimanding the wealthy for making plans without acknowledging God’s control over their lives and for their tendency to prioritize their pursuits over what was important from God’s perspective. But also, James recognized they were so caught up in carrying out their plans and pursuits they’d forgotten how priceless the gift of life truly was. He encouraged believers to realize life was short, and time is precious.
 
We all need to stay grounded in our faith and live the abundant life God intended, and it’s a shame we allow problems and disappointments to blind us from the beautiful parts of the life we have. Since we’re never guaranteed tomorrow, we should always make the most of today.
 
This little time of reflection in the bumpy skies reminded me that whether it’s the quest for material items, busyness or the difficulty of adversities that steal our love for living, the result may be a life of regrets — and no one wants that.
 
We don’t have to search for a different life, a carefree life or a life with perfect circumstances in order to love our life and make the most of it. It’s never too late to start anew and begin intentionally living each day with purpose and joy.
 
Lord, forgive me for letting things stand in the way of appreciating, loving and enjoying the life You’ve given me. Help me make the most of every moment beginning today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Tracie Miles
 
TRUTH FOR TODAY
 

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13,
“So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.” (NLT)

 
Colossians 4:5b, “Make the most of every opportunity.” (NLT)

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"When Something is Taking More of You"

8/20/2018

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Good morning ladies. I hope you all had a great weekend! It went by quickly, didn't it? There are so many things to do this time of year...car shows, craft shows, farmer's markets, parades, expos of every sort. And the State Fair, aka 'The Great Minnesota Get-Together' starts on Thursday this week. No shortage of things to choose from, that's for sure! I'm sure the same is true for you ladies living in other states. What we decided to do on Friday was a lot of fun. We took a short drive over to Wisconsin to visit Osceola, a nice little town. There were some beautiful waterfalls and gardens, and the town had several gift and antique shops. Oh, the fun! On our way back into Minnesota, we stopped off at Taylor's Falls, another quaint town. We have really enjoyed visiting different small towns in our state and the closer ones in both Wisconsin and Iowa. There is so much history to learn about! It gives us new perspective on our country. So, with a trip to the Dairy Queen,  it was a great day! We were thinking about going to a classic car show right downtown here in Anoka on Saturday evening, but time and energy didn't allow for it. Maybe one extra thing per weekend is good. How about you? Anything you'd like to share?

Sunday was also fantastic. I made it to church--yay! I was missing my church family. And last evening, the backpacks for this Wednesday's 'Backpack Giveaway' were loaded and prayed over. Can't wait! Our church family was so generous with buying and bringing in all the supplies. Such a great ministry and outreach, and it will help many families who struggle to supply these needs for their children. A great way to show God's love!  

Devotion

More thoughts today about how things in our life can take too much of us. If they're not beneficial, then we might need to think about what to do with them. The phone example is a good one. Daily struggle. Have a Magnificent Monday ladies! 


“When Something is Taking More of You”

“‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say — but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’ — but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NIV)

For the past several weeks I’ve been doing my best to make my phone a tool, rather than a part of my life. This realization came one day as the phone was plugged in a mere 10 feet away, yet I felt tugged several times to pick it up.
 
Why was I so pulled?
 
The truth was my phone had been in my hands more often than not for a while.
 
Sometimes I woke in the night and reached for it, which made going back to sleep that much harder. However, like a courtroom defense attorney, I listed all the reasons why having my phone nearby or in my hand was acceptable. It’s my calendar. It’s how I stay in touch with family and friends. Social media allows me to minister to others.
 
Even as I listed those bullet points, I felt the Holy Spirit tugging at my heart. My phone had a greater hold on me than it should.
 
In today’s key verse, the Apostle Paul is teaching the church about things that can have a hold on us. This is a common theme in Paul’s teaching. He often brought it to a heart-level as believers debated about the right thing to do — whether it was the choices they made with their body, what they ate or drank, or the day they chose to worship.
 
“‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say — but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’ — but I will not be mastered by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
 
Paul encouraged them to look past the reasons they could or could not do something, asking one question: Is this beneficial?
 
Another question might be: “Is this God’s best for me?”
 
As I shared my dilemma with a few friends, several admitted they’d also struggled. One had her phone in her hands when with her children, and she often didn’t hear what they were saying. Another told a story of attending an important event. When she left, she’d missed a lot of it because she was otherwise engaged with social media and texts. One confessed she became anxious if her phone wasn’t in plain sight.
 
That day we made a pact to make a plan.
 
My plan was to put it on ring so I could hear if someone called, but otherwise to leave it at a distance. I chose not to use my phone for social media (unless traveling) but to use my computer instead. This made my time on social media much more intentional. I quickly realized that what I called a bad habit was more of an addiction. I itched to have my phone in my hand. I longed to scroll through social media, to read books through my e-reader app, and to check email and news apps and so much more. There were times I picked it up without thinking, and an hour later, I was still online.
 
Yet I persisted. After two weeks of sticking to my plan, the pull eased. My phone became a really great tool again, rather than a lifeline.
 
When something — no matter what it is — takes more from us than it gives, we are wise to put it down. We are wise to give it less of us, so we have more to offer those around us.
 
As we do, we lean into God’s best for us, and that’s a gift.
 
Father, that thing that has a hold on me, I can make excuses for it. I can even reason it away. Today I put aside my excuses, and I choose Your best for me. Thank You that You lead me toward what’s beneficial and away from those things that potentially have power over my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Suzie Eller
 
TRUTH FOR TODAY
 

John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (NIV)
 
Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (NIV)

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"The Simple Blessing of Slowing Down"

8/17/2018

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Good morning ladies! It's a beautiful start to our Friday here. A bit cooler. How did you sleep? I slept very well until I heard the garage door opening and closing at 6 am. I couldn't figure out what that was all about, but I decided to go back to sleep for another hour. Well, you know how your mind can't figure something out? That's what happened to me and I couldn't sleep. So, I got up and my husband told me that our son was taking his friends to the airport. Okay, somehow I'd missed that information. Not that I have to know everything....it's just hard when your bedroom is right above the garage! And I'm a light sleeper. Next time I will suggest he leave through the front door since he's parked in the driveway, not even in the garage. Sometimes it's a balancing act having an adult son live with you. I'm sure that some of you can relate.

Any special plans for the weekend? When I walked out to the living room this morning, my hubby suggested that we pack a picnic lunch and go to a park, or maybe down to Stillwater on the St. Croix River. I thought that sounded very nice! What a thoughtful guy!

Devotion

Today's words really resonated with me. Even with my slower pace of life at home, I still deal with the issue of "hurry" and "rush." Do you? As the author states, at one point she wanted to blame others for this, but she came to the realization that she was putting all sorts of things into her own schedule to meet deeper needs, one of which was her search for significance. Have a great weekend, make some memories, kick up your feet, and have a Fabulous Friday! 



“The Simple Blessing of Slowing Down”

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

A slower life sounds delightful! Maybe that’s why farmhouse living is such a popular idea. We idealize a lifestyle led by simple faith and slower daily routines.

But I’ll be honest, my farmhouse needs good Wi-Fi. I like the idea of a slower lifestyle, but not when it comes to my computer speed. Even a 3-second delay has me worried I might need an upgrade! (And I’m still waiting for my smartphone to make me smarter.)

The truth is, some of us would be miserable if things slowed down. We’d much rather things hurry up.

The problem is, my soul wasn’t created for hurry. And as a result, hurry is the enemy of what matters most in life.

For so many years it seemed someone pressed fast-forward on my life. And I say “someone” because I felt like a victim. It was always someone else’s fault we were rushing around in the morning or racing out the door in a frenzy.

It took years for me to realize hurry wasn’t a mandate. There were other options, especially those that made me a nicer person. Hurry didn’t bring out my best. In fact, I can be pretty self-centered when I rush. And the work I think I’m crushing is really crushing me.

The “why” behind living an overcrowded life isn’t easy to discover — and mine certainly wasn’t. The reasons I jam-packed my schedule were complicated. Clearly having the right planner or time management program wasn’t the answer. Because underneath it all, I was searching for significance and believed doing more was the answer.

The more you do, the faster you have to work to get it all done. And the hurry cycle begins.

Here’s the problem: Hurry never gets me what I really want.
​
  • I want deeper relationships with God and others; hurry makes them shallow.
  • I want to think more deeply about the Lord and the world around me; hurry makes it impossible.
  • I want to do better work; hurry steals any excellence I hope to have.
  • I want to serve others well; hurry causes me to brush over their needs.

Hurry steals the best from me, and so I must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from my life.

We were designed to go at a slower pace, to ponder, to process thoughts one at a time, to focus on the face in front of us with tender care. And when we try to go at computer-speed, we miss out on what’s important in life.

The Apostle Paul penned a list of the characteristics a Christian should exhibit when the Spirit of God lives in them. And not one of them is possible when I’m in a hurry: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …” (Galatians 5:22).

Hurry robs us of the beauty God has placed in front of us and the grace others so desperately need.

Sometimes dealing with hurry is as simple as deciding to slow down. Walk more slowly … talk more slowly. Sometimes it means editing our schedules and removing half (if not more) of our optional responsibilities.

We can uncover the root of our hurry, but it takes time. To start, the next time you feel hurry start to sneak in and push the gas pedal, pause and breathe deeply. Refuse to be rushed. Declare that hurry has no place in the good work you’re doing or the beautiful life God’s placed before you.

Lord, thank You for Your patience with me. You are never in a rush when I come to You. Help me turn to You more often and invite Your Spirit to have His way in me, bringing a calmness I desperately need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
Glynnis Whitwer
 
TRUTH FOR TODAY


Ecclesiastes 7:8, “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” (ESV)

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"How Well Do We Serve?"

8/15/2018

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Good morning ladies. How are you doing on this fine, summer day? We've reached the middle of August already. I looked at my phone to see the date because my mind thought it was only a week into this month. How I lose days like that, I don't know. Age, that's it. Well, we had a great time at the game last night, even though the Pirates lost.  Good game Twins! The heat of the day turned into a cool breeze and we enjoyed a fun time with our church family. Oh, the laughs! Events such as these are a great way to get to know people better than you would at church. And sometimes, it truly amazes me how much I don't know about someone's personality, knowledge, and interests. Casey and I got home around 11 pm and I fell right to sleep. That was also a blessing. Since PK drove the bus, he got home much later. Today I have a few things to catch up on around here. How about you? Anything new in your lives?

Devotion

I love this devotion today! A good reminder that our purpose is to serve others. By doing this, we are serving the LORD. Have a Wonderful Wednesday ladies! 

“How Well Do We Serve?”

“But Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.’” Matthew 20:25-26 (NLT)

These wise words from Jesus remind me of the lessons my parents taught me. They were a great example of what it meant to live a life of service and helping others.

 
Growing up, our home was frequently filled with people. Almost every weekend, my parents would invite children from a nearby girls’ home to stay with us. These girls were treated no differently than if they were my sisters, as my parents warmly welcomed and included them in our everyday lives and activities.
 
Jesus’ statement in Matthew 20 came during a discussion He had with His disciples about leadership. They were asking how they could get promoted up the ladder of authority in His organization. In fact, two of the disciples, James and John, asked for the positions of second in command in the Kingdom.
 
Jesus responded by telling them that in the Kingdom of God, greatness is defined by how well we serve and how much we help others.
 
This is certainly a contrast to what we hear in most parts of society today. We typically look at our leaders and judge them by how many people they're responsible for, how much influence they have and the decisions they make. Whether it's a CEO leading a business, a teacher leading a classroom or a mother leading a family, we tend to judge them by how confident they look or how much control they exert over the people following them.
 
If I’m not careful, I can get deceived into feeling I need to be more forceful, more demanding, or get further ahead in life, trying to move up the corporate ladder.
 
Isn’t it wonderful to hear Jesus speak and realize He doesn't want us to do things the way the world does? In this case, He wants just the opposite. Jesus says the real heroes, the ones He values most, are the people who help others.
 
He says we should measure our worth by the number of people we serve and how we make their lives better. He shares this reminder in Matthew 20:25-26, “But Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.’”
 
Looking at things that way gives us a completely different perspective on life.
 
My parents didn’t reach out to those young women for recognition or to earn some type of award. They did it out of a heartfelt desire to serve, and in doing so, modeled those values to me and my siblings.
 
Because of my parents’ example, giving back is now a way of life for me. My husband, Tony, and I choose to be involved with low-income schools. We visit with children, read to them, encourage them and inspire them to dream.
 
Our hope is that our children will also develop a heart for serving others, following our lead, the legacy of my parents, and ultimately, Jesus’ desire for their lives.
 
My prayer for my family and yours is that we will find a way to serve, no matter how big or small. And, when we do, know that Jesus says those who serve are the leaders in His kingdom — the Kingdom of Heaven.
 
Lord, I thank You for giving us a different way to view leadership. I pray You give us all a heart to serve others. I pray we can utilize the gifts the Holy Spirit has given each one of us to not only help our fellow humans, but to point people to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Lauren Dungy
 
TRUTH FOR TODAY
 
James 1:27, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (NLT)
 
Matthew 25:40, “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” (NLT)

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"When God Breathes Courage"

8/13/2018

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Good morning ladies. It's a new day and a new week that the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! And be thankful for all we have and for all He does in our lives. How are you today? How was your weekend? As I mentioned to you last week, PK had been gone long hours, so we wanted to do something fun over the weekend. I was rested and ready on Saturday mid-morning. We decided to go somewhere that a friend told us about, is indoors (which was good because of the heat), and sounded like a lot of fun. So, we headed to Minneapolis to the International Market. Anyone heard of it? We also decided to go to the Walker Art Institute outdoor sculptures and displays afterwards. They have some new sculptures near the Spoon and Cherry that we haven't seen yet. As we were looking for parking, we discovered that the Minneapolis Farmer's Market was taking place and the streets in that area were packed! Tents and produce and people everywhere! I was loving the looks of that as we maneuvered around to find a parking spot. We decided to check that out first. It. Was. Awesome! Food tents, flower tents, jewelry, handmade goods, clothing, PRODUCE, and much more!  There were veggies I've never heard of or seen before. There was even a live band.  Very fun! We definitely enjoyed it and will go again in the Fall. After that, we headed over to the International Market, just across the street. We walked in and were not expecting what we saw. It looked like a huge convention center inside, with a man seated at a desk, waiting to help us. He said that the building contains "showrooms" for area home designers and the ones that were open that day were kitchen and bathroom. We walked around the place and even checked out the open ones. Um, definitely above our price range, even the clearance area. Also, it seemed more like a place you would go to furnish an office or business more than just individuals looking for their home. They also had many meeting areas, a few eating places, and just places to sit and talk. And, it was air-conditioned! So, we rested there for awhile, but it wasn't at all what we were expecting. We obviously thought it would be a large indoor market, more like the farmer's market, but inside. By the time we made our way back to the car, I was exhausted. I sometimes forget how much the sun and heat affect me. We decided to go see the sculptures another day. Yesterday, I was still recovering and missed church, unfortunately, but we had a restful day. How about you?

Devotion

Do you struggle with fear in your life? I know that I do at times. As this devotion tells us, though, we can have the courage we need through the power of God. Have a Mindful Monday ladies!

“When God Breathes Courage”

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)


With his phone to his ear, my husband whispered to me, "Madi has been in an accident."

 
Again?
 
When our youngest daughter first began driving, she experienced a minor accident. Stirring the supper that was simmering, I assumed this accident was the same.
 
Soon enough, I discovered how wrong I was.
 
Several hours earlier, our daughter began a road trip to see a friend. Since she was an experienced driver who’d driven many highway miles, saying goodbye no longer made my heart thump.
 
As Greg continued talking to the emergency worker, I wondered, What should I do next? By now, Madi was over three hours from home. Finally, adrenaline kicked in and told me to get going as fast as we could.
 
As I threw a few essentials in a bag, a myriad of pictures began to arrive via text. A fireman was sending pictures of my daughter's unrecognizable car. He said she was OK. Why didn’t she call then?I had to hear her, see her, to erase all my fears. When her call finally came, I could barely understand the panicked voice trying to describe what happened.
 
Reaching the hospital several hours later, we arrived just as Madi was being released. Our daughter was whole!
 
I have no doubt God had His hand of protection on my daughter that day. I haven’t stopped praising Him yet!
 
As I write though, my girl is excitedly packing to go see her friend on a drive that will take her down that same highway. Past that same mile marker.
 
And I have a choice.
 
I can choose to be afraid and worry about her safety. Or, I can choose to be brave and trust God that as He was with my daughter that day, He will be with her again. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells me, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Any fear I feel is not from Him; He doesn’t give us fear — ever.
 
At times like these when fear floods in, we have to remember: Courage is not a feeling. Courage is a noun, the strength to go forward even in the face of fear.
 
One of the Hebrew words for courage is ruah, which can mean “breath of God” and can be used to describe God’s creative activity. Just as He did in Genesis 1, God is creating something out of nothing in you and me. Alone, we don’t possess confidence, courage or bravery. He forms this fortitude where there has been a void, where it’s never existed before. He is very good at making something out of nothing.
 
That is what I am praying for today — courage for me and for my girl.
 
I know not everyone has the happy ending that we have had. I don't understand why bad things happen to good people. I do know that I am grateful and want to shout His praises for helping our family and for helping us choose faith over fear as we move forward.
 
Lord, it is easy to have faith when fear isn’t present. What I need is a faith that keeps moving forward even when fear sweeps in. Thank You for giving me Your power, love and a sound mind. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Lynn Cowell
 
TRUTH FOR TODAY

Isaiah 35:4, “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.’” (NKJV)

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"Smarter and Stronger Than We Think"

8/10/2018

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Good morning lovely ladies! It's......... Friday!!!! This has seemed like a long week for me. PK has been gone a lot, especially the last two days with a leadership conference. So, I'm looking forward to doing something fun this weekend. I have no idea what that will be yet, but the main thing is to get out of this house for awhile! How about you? Anything fun going on? If you live here in Minnesota, let me know. It might be something that interests me as well. It's been so beautiful, but so hot, but this morning is a special gift, because it's cooler and the humidity is way down, at least for now. And I'll take it!

Devotion

This is a good reminder that we are only "stronger" and "smarter" in God's strength and wisdom. When we lean on Him, we have all we need. Have a lovely weekend and a Fabulous Friday ladies!
 


“Smarter and Stronger Than We Think”

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” 2 Corinthians 11:30 (NIV)



I thought it was a weird sign for an airport.

 
I looked up at a giant billboard which read, “You are smarter and stronger than you think.”
 
I found it odd that the airport was trying to boost my self-esteem. Although there’s nothing really wrong with this positive message, I thought a better slogan to broadcast for an airport might be “Adventure Ahead” or “Your safety is our top priority.”
 
I pondered that sign. For some reason, it bugged me.
 
You are smarter and stronger than you think.
 
Then I realized why I was bothered. When we believe we are the ones who are ultimately smart and strong, where is the need for God? The truth is, we aren’t as smart and strong as we think. Constantly propping up the ego leads to pride. On the contrary, we are in desperate need of God. He is the one who is smarter and stronger than we think.
 
Instead of boasting about our intelligence or strength, we should brag on God’s. The Apostle Paul leads the way as we read in today’s key verse, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Corinthians 11:30). That runs counter to the world’s way of doing things.
 
Now if anyone could boast in smarts or strength, it was Paul. He had quite a pedigree to brag about.
 
Philippians 3:5-6 tells us Paul was, “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (NKJV). In other words, Paul was more educated and experienced than almost anybody of his day. He was as perfect as a religious man could be, keeping the law to the utmost. Yet he describes all this self-importance as trash, compared to knowing Christ by faith. His personal assets were viewed as liabilities so that he could fully embrace the righteousness of Christ.
 
Here’s where you and I can breathe a sigh of relief. We don’t have to prove our worth through our accomplishments or strengths. Actually, when we try to look good and exalt ourselves, we push others (and God) away. Pride is unbecoming. It’s humility that allows us to connect beautifully with others. We can admit our weaknesses and point to God’s strength, which truly sustains.
 
I relate to Gideon who wonders why he of all people was chosen to be used by God. When the Angel of the Lord speaks to him in Judges 6:15, the conversation goes like this: “Pardon me, my lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’” (NIV) He was essentially saying, “You’ve got the wrong guy!” My guess is he wasn’t wearing an Old Testament T-shirt that read, “I am smarter and stronger than I think.” It was in Gideon’s weakness — not his strength or pride — that God was glorified.
 
We are surrounded by positive self-esteem messages such as “I can do anything” and “Girl Boss.” It all looks good at first glance. Yet when I rely on myself and my own smarts, I come up short every time, since I have limited resources and abilities. But when I rely on God, the possibilities are truly endless. Because it is God who’s smarter and stronger, God who can do anything, and God who is the boss.
 
Lord Jesus, You are my strength and my defense. I humble myself before You, and I declare in my weakness, You are strong. There is no other like You. Thank You for clothing me in Your power and righteousness. I am enough because of You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Arlene Pellicane
 
TRUTH FOR TODAY
 

Psalm 72:13,
“He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.” (NIV)

 
Isaiah 40:29, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (NIV)
 
Philippians 3:8-9a, “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” (NIV)

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